II. Definitions
- Hesselbach's Triangle
- Anatomical triangle used to define Inguinal Hernias
III. Anatomy: Hesselbach's Triangle (Inguinal Triangle, margins mnemonic - RIP)
- Hesselbach's Triangle
- Rectus Muscle lateral margin (medial border)
- Inferior epigastric vessels (supero-lateral border)
- Inguinal ligament or Poupart's ligament (infero-lateral border)
- Image: Inferior Epigastric vessels in relation to Inguinal Hernia
- Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
- Resources
- Wikipedia (Inguinal Triangle)
IV. Interpretation
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Indirect Inguinal Hernia (out of Hesselbach's Triangle)
- Enters Inguinal Canal lateral to inferior epigastrics
- Exits Inguinal Canal inferior to inguinal ligament
-
Direct Inguinal Hernia (within Hesselbach's Triangle)
- Breaches posterior inguinal wall
- Passes medial to inferior epigastric vessels